Overview
Join our outstanding day surgery unit at Tewkesbury Community Hospital as an Ophthalmology Theatre Scrub Practitioner. We seek a skilled professional with extensive ophthalmology scrub experience to deliver exceptional care in our high-performing team.
Our hospital delivers local and general anaesthetic procedures, including ophthalmology, ENT, and orthopaedics day surgeries, led by expert, friendly consultants from Cheltenham and Gloucester. The environment is collaborative and results-driven with modern facilities, flexible schedules and opportunities for professional growth.
Main duties of the job
* As a Band 5 Ophthalmology Scrub Practitioner at Tewkesbury Community Hospital, perform theatre preparation for ophthalmology procedures, ensure sterile conditions and equipment readiness for cataract and ocular plastic surgeries.
* Assist surgeons during operations by providing instruments, sutures and supplies with precision and efficiency.
* Maintain strict aseptic techniques to prevent infection and ensure patient safety.
* Monitor and manage surgical equipment to ensure functionality and availability.
* Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including consultants, anaesthetists and ODPs, to deliver high‑quality care.
* Verify patient identities, consent forms and surgical site markings to uphold safety protocols.
* Assist with patient positioning and draping to facilitate surgical access.
* Manage intraoperative documentation, including swab and instrument counts.
* Support training of junior staff and share ophthalmic expertise.
* Engage in continuous professional development to enhance clinical skills.
* Ensure timely theatre turnover for efficient day surgery schedules.
* Qualification, training & experience requirements are outlined in the Job Description/Person Specification.
About us
We have a skilled and dedicated workforce of over 5000 colleagues across more than 55 sites and in people’s homes. We strive to create a welcoming workplace culture that values civility, inclusivity and diversity, while providing a sense of belonging and trust.
Staff engagement
Annual staff surveys, Pulse surveys and other engagement opportunities give colleagues a voice. In the latest staff survey, 61% participated, with the following highlights:
* 72% would recommend the Trust as a place to work (ranked 1st for Provider Trusts in the South West).
* 76% would recommend the standard of care if a friend or relative needed treatment (ranked 1st in the South West).
* 81% said patient care and service user priority is the Trust’s focus, above the regional average.
We continue to prioritise improvement and invest in becoming a Great Place to Work, with top‑quartile performance in staff surveys.
Details
Date posted: 30 October 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £31,049 to £37,796 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 327-25-910
Job locations: Tewkesbury Hospital, Barton Road, Tewkesbury, GL205GJ
Job description and responsibilities
The day surgery theatre department at Tewkesbury Community Hospital cares for patients undergoing ophthalmic, orthopaedic and ENT surgery. This role primarily supports the cataract service, providing safe, individualised, high‑quality patient care within a community setting to ensure a positive experience for patients and their relatives or carers. The post holder will deliver effective, current and evidence‑based care within a small, friendly team, prioritising patient‑centred care.
The post holder will support students and junior staff, pursue professional development, and adapt to changing situations to ensure the smooth running of operating lists. They will be flexible with shift allocations (Monday to Friday) to meet service demands, act as the patient’s advocate in peri‑operative roles, and undertake delegated tasks from the Theatre Manager or Senior Theatre Nurse to assist with department operations. They will be a team player, supporting colleagues wherever possible.
We provide a multi‑professional preceptorship programme aligned to the National Preceptorship Framework for Nursing. We have been awarded the Interim quality mark from NHS England. The programme is offered to Newly Qualified nurses, Nursing Associates, Internationally Educated Practitioners, Allied Health Professionals and Return to Practice Practitioners. Preceptees may enrol in a level 7 (Masters) 15‑credit module in Preceptorship for Healthcare (AP7026).
The Trust aligns with UK visa and immigration rules. For sponsorship information, please visit the UK Visas and Immigration site (links are not reproduced here).
Person specification
Qualifications
* Essential: Registered Nurse/ODP with Nursing and Midwifery Council/HPC
* Desirable: Appropriate teaching and assessing qualification
Experience
* Essential: Significant post‑registration scrub experience in ophthalmology; excellent interpersonal communication skills for working with staff and service users
Professional knowledge
* Essential: Highly developed specialist knowledge of theatre practice; experience in communicating complex data; knowledge of clinical governance (CQC and local risk management); ability to build effective relationships; systematic approach to problem solving; ability to make independent decisions in a rapidly changing environment
Personal skills and attributes
* Essential: Ability to work with colleagues from all health and social care professions; well‑developed leadership and influencing skills; ability to communicate complex information clearly; commitment to mandatory training
Other requirements
* Essential: Willingness to be clinically involved in wider hospital services; ability to be flexible within the theatre/day surgery unit shift pattern
Compliance and sponsorship
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required. Applications from job seekers requiring UK Skilled Worker sponsorship will be considered; UK visa guidance and overseas criminal records checks are provided for reference only.
UK registrations: Applicants must have current UK professional registration.
Employer details
Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
Tewkesbury Hospital, Barton Road, Tewkesbury, GL205GJ
Website: Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust (the link is provided in the original description and is not reproduced here).
#J-18808-Ljbffr